Effects

Crime affects everyone differently. Your experience will be unique and is likely to affect not only how you think and feel but your relationships with friends, family and the wider community. Some things you may experience include:

Physical effects:

Loss of appetite

Headaches

Diarrhoea

Nightmares

Chronic physical complaints

Nausea

Difficulty concentrating

Tenseness or lethargy

Subsequent effects on your health from these physical effects may include:

Physical Injuries

Sexually transmitted diseases

An unwanted pregnancy

Sleep disturbances

High blood pressure

Risk taking behaviour

Substance or alcohol abuse

Post Traumatic Stress disorder

Psychological effects:

Shame or embarrassment

Shock

Depression

Low self esteem

Social withdrawal

Anger

Numbness or feelings of loss and abandonment

Anxiety

Fear

Self-blame

Loss of pleasure and interest

Irritability

You may also feel pressure from the prosecutors or community to have an opinion about the offender and their sentencing. Society may have a strong reaction to the crime or demand a tough conviction or legislative change. Your experience may also affect others in your immediate family and social group.

Throughout this process it is important to monitor the effect these changes are having on your day to day life. If you feel overwhelmed, please seek help from friends, family or one of the many services available to you.